Carbon Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carbon Peak |
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 Carbon Peak
Location in Colorado
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 12,088 ft (3,684 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,159 ft (658 m) |
| Listing | Colorado prominent summits |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gunnison County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Parent range | West Elk Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Axtell |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | hike |
Carbon Peak is a tall mountain in the West Elk Mountains of Colorado. It stands at an elevation of 12,088 ft (3,684 m), which is over 12,000 feet high! You can find this peak southwest of Crested Butte, right inside the Gunnison National Forest.
Carbon Peak is special because of how it was formed. It's what geologists call a laccolith. This means it was created when magma (hot, melted rock from deep inside the Earth) pushed up into the Earth's crust but didn't break through to the surface. Instead, it spread out like a mushroom, lifting the layers of rock above it.
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What Makes Carbon Peak Unique?
Carbon Peak is a great example of a laccolith. These are dome-shaped mountains that form when magma pushes up rock layers without erupting. Over millions of years, the softer rocks around the laccolith wear away, leaving the harder, magma-formed core exposed as a mountain.
How Carbon Peak Formed
Carbon Peak was formed during the mid-Tertiary period. This was a long time ago, about 66 to 2.6 million years ago! During this time, a lot of volcanic activity was happening in the area. Magma pushed its way up, creating many unique mountains like Carbon Peak.
The Colorado Geological Survey has even described Carbon Peak as part of a "laccolith triangle." This shows that it's one of several similar mountains in the region that share this interesting geological history.
Exploring Carbon Peak
Carbon Peak is part of the beautiful Gunnison National Forest. This area is known for its stunning scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities. While the easiest way to reach the summit is by hiking, it's important to be prepared for high-altitude conditions.
The mountain offers amazing views of the surrounding West Elk Mountains. It's a fantastic place for people who love nature and want to see unique geological formations up close.
Images for kids
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This image shows a geologic cross section of Carbon Peak, explaining how it was formed.
